India and the UK make progress on the India-UK free trade agreement by resolving a major concern related to steel trade. According to reports, India secures protections for a large share of its steel exports to the UK, so that new British trade measures do not disrupt shipments as the agreement comes into operation. One outlet says safeguards cover about 85% of Indian steel exports, while the remaining volume is addressed through country-specific quotas and other access arrangements. Another report frames the development as a way both sides “work around” steel trade curbs ahead of an FTA breakthrough, indicating that the safeguards remove a key hurdle for implementing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. The agreement is described as approaching operationalization on 15 July, with the steel safeguards clearing a sticking point that had been delaying final rollout. The details suggest a structured transition that balances the UK’s new steel-related trade measures with continued market access for Indian producers. Both reports focus on the resolution of the steel component as a step toward broader agreement implementation.